Ventilation system for mines



Jan. 3, 1956 J. R. KENNEDY ET AL VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR MINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 21, 1953 INVENTORS M 1 w 2 n w 4 Q35 m 3 Zr v 1 5 m F Jan. 3, 1956 J. R. KENNEDY ETAL VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR MINES Filed Aug. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3

H III III III III III III III HI III N A\\7 AVAQV WAY WA W/WN W A NW JNVENTORJ United States Patent mine,

2,729,0 VENTILATION svsrniu Fon MINES Jack atattatatastntta trash, misti Ill.

M instantiate it, 1 9 3; shat N0. 375,615

This invention relates to a prefabricated, telescoping, and easily installed 7 ventilation arrangement or overcast structure for use amines; and uti li'zes the typeofstructures as disclosed in the co p'en'din'g application Serial Number 350,557, filed April 23,- 1 953, for MineStopping.

object of I this inventionresides' in the provision-of means fonpreveriting' 'the inter mingling of" the air" and gas in a coal shaft "With that" of air intersecting shaft to thereby "reduce-"the expense necessary "in' "ventilating a minaby' eliminating thelnecessity' for providing fresh air to the unused portions "while maintaining continuity of air passagewaysintheintersectingshafts.

T heconstruction of this invention features the use of a recess forined in the top 'of across shaft'of 'a-niine-at the "pOiI1tWh6r -it"intersects With another 'shaftisup ported within t'he recess" is a substantially rectangular conduit. The other portions 'of the cross shaft are blocked by suitable mine stopping. Y? l Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel construction for a ventilation conduit or overcast stru'cture for use in mines which employs telescoping panels' ther'e'by permitting the panels to form conduits of various lengths as 'ma'y be necessary. Furtherfthe cond'uit's "car-t ee substantially prefabricated at 'a 'p'oint remote frorn the' site of installation, the arrangement of pa'rtsbeing flexible enou h to com'pensate ref various irregularities existing in the shap'e a'nd s'ize of the intersecting" shaftsi" =Thernine' sto'pping employed in conjunction withthe ventilating conduit is of a salvagable 'nat'ure 'as is the conduit thereby enabling'the useand reus'e'of the parts thereof as' 'rriining 'opera'tions progress-which results in a' considerable saving and reduced expense of feperation of thejnin'e'lafif'tf :1; ;1 l jxt i v t S'till further objects and features of the invention reside in the provision '-'of a ventilation system for mines "that is simple to install by even semi-skilled labor, constructed from a minimumnumber-of interchangeable part-s',' which is" easily 'caulkedfor complete prevention of flow of'air through any ofthe'wallsfor'medlby theparts thereof,"yet Which-may beea'sily disassembled and salvagedair reuse.

"'These; t together with the various ancillaryobjects' and features of ftheinventionwhich will become apparent as the folloW-ing description proceeds, are 'attaine'd'by this ventilation"sys'tem for mines, a preferred embodiment of which has been 'illustrated'in the accompanyingdrawings by wa'y of example only,*wherein:-

Figure '1 is'a'plan view illustrating the manner in which the ventilation system is utilized'ina mine; is

Figure 2 is 'anelevati'onal 'viewillu'strating the manner in which'thetop of the mine is recessedfol-reception o'f-th'econduit, the direction of the-view being taken along theplane of line 2-2 in Figure l';* 5J1 11 9 a Figure" 3- is a vertical sectional view as taken along the planerof line 3-3 in Figure l and illustrating the arrangement' of'the' mine stopping and rectangular ventilation conduitusedintheinvention;

FigureA-is an-enlargement of portions of Fig. 3 affording a sectional detail view-ofthe rectangular conduit 2,729,066 Patented Jan. 3, 1956 "we", an MD. M."

constructed from venfion;: r t, H a

Figure 5 is a sectional detail view as taken along the Plane of line 5-'5*in Figure 4'; Figure 6'is an enlarged sectional detail view showing the manner in whieh theuectangular fr me 'for the'eo'n duits is assembled; and s Figure 7 is'a perspective view of one of the substantially U-shaped clamps utilized'in this invention; 11 Y a With continuing reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals designate s'imilar parts throughout "the various views; reference numeral 10 generally designates a"=shaft'in "a mine having -crossshafts 12, 14, and'16 intersecting therewith; The con struction of this invention provides means for permitting ready passage along the shaft" lfljpermitting 'cohtinu'ity'of flow of air between the cross sections- 18 and20bf the 14' t v I V l- I In order to achieve the desired results, the top or overhead 22o'f the cross shaft 14 is recessed as at"24=' ljlie recess 24 is-of sufiicient'size to receive a-rectangular conduit'26 therein and the end portions of the recess 24 and 26 are tapered downwardly until th'ey'reach"the leveli-of the" top of "the shaft 20; The rectangular conduit'2t5 is supported by suitable-standards 28 on -whichlbeains 3t) o'r other" suitable supporting elements are" mounted.- Extending upwardly from the bottom 32 of the cross shaft 14 and closing these'ctions' 18 and 20 thereof are'rnine stoppings 34 and 36 ofthe character described in the cop'endingfap'plication, Serial Number 350,557 fo'r Mine Stopping. Each of the mine stoppings 34"and 36 inclu'ds pairs of?verticallytelescoping -panels"38 and 40 whi'cli are clampingly held together in "abutting relationship to brace bars 42 in a-rnanner'such as to permit the' 'pair's of pane-ls 38 'and'40 to telescope should there b'e an upheavalof the bottomofth'e mine' resulting from a squeeze!" Th panels 38 and 40a'r c' substantially channel shaped and are clampingly held to thesupport bars '42 'bym'eans off U- shaped clamp members such as"th6se indicated in Figure i and-indicatedby 'reference numeral 44 having U shap -d clamping plates 46 andthreaded rods 48 attac'hd there'fo; Clamping elementsare reeeived over-"tlie threaded entr n the rods 48, andareindicatedat 49: The rectangular conduit 26is=composed from suitable rectangular frames 50" including top"and" b6tt6m trarne members -52 ahd54 together 'witli s'idefratn niernbefs' 56 and 58. The frames S'iVare' fQrmed frorn or 'afigte shaped in" cross section and are bolted==-togetl'1'er as i-n dicated at 59 in Figure 6. *Supported 'on "the "fran1es 50 there are telescoping pairstof' ou'terand inner panels-'60* and 62 whit-sh ars arranged inabutting' relationship and alternately' the' inner panel terminates-at one side'and at 'tht'fcithel". This is because this" arrangement permits the panels 60" and 62 to inter'fnesh to the greatest extentthereby decreasingdie air space between those panels;-thus reducing theamdun't of' calking"necessaryto completely prevent any flow 'of air through the intersticesbetween thepanelsh E'ach of the panels 60 and 62 are substantially channel shaped and'have-converg'ing 'L-shaped flanges64, 66, "and respectively. zw'; a t In order to hold the panels 69 and 62 against the frames -50 there are providedelarnping ineans coinprising' the substantially U-shap'ed platest 4'6 havihg' th threaded rods 48 'pr'ess fitted thereini -Th'e rods48 ei tend' through th'e frames 50 and =the U-sha'piz'd plates 46' engage the 'L-shaped' flanges' 64j66 and 68; 70- 'irr such'manner as to'resiliently hold the panel's 6 -and 62 in engageine'nt with theirames'stl. The rods 48have 0 threade'dlysecured thereon "suitable nuts"-"49"'"-Vhich as:

gagetheflfrarnes" 50-. "*Thepreciseaniount of"te'nsioii'= 6n" the rods'48 shouldbe such as topermit ready telescoping of the inner panels 62 within the outer panels 60 in order that the conduit 50 may be readily adjusted so as to be properly fitted in the recess 24. The precise amount of telescoping relationship between the panels 60 and 62 is determined, of course, by the width of the shaft 10. It is to be noted that the panels 63 and 62 secured to the top frame members 52 will overlap the panels secured to the side frame members 56 and 58. In order to insure proper rigidity of the conduit 26 there is provided a brace 72 which is terminally secured to the side frame member 58 and to the bottom frame member 54. Since the brace 72 will prevent collapse of the side frame member 58 relative to the bottom frame member 54, it will maintain the entire frame 50 relatively rigidly in a rectangular shape. Obviously, a suitable number of braces 72 may be utilized noting that the braces 72 would provide some obstruction to the flow of air, and it is therefore intended that a minimum number of these braces be utilized.

Since from the foregoing the construction and advantages of this ventilation for mines are readily apparent, further description is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, after consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise embodiments shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be readily resorted to.

What is claimed as new is as follows;

1. A ventilation system for mines having a mine shaft including an overhead, said mine shaft being intersected by a cross shaft, said cross shaft having an overhead forming a recess in the overhead of said mine shaft, a substantially rectangular conduit received in said recess, and vertically extending stoppings in said cross shaft extending from the bottom of said cross shaft to said conduit and closing said cross shaft relative to said mine shaft at each side of said mine shaft.

2. A ventilation system for mines having a mine shaft including an overhead, said mine shaft being intersected by a cross shaft, said cross shaft having an overhead forming a recess in the overhead of said mine shaft, a substantially rectangular conduit received in said recess, and vertically extending stoppings in said cross shaft extending from the bottom of said cross shaft to said conduit and closing said cross shaft relative to said mine shaft at each side of said mine shaft, said conduit including pairs of horizontally telescoping panels, and means holding said pairs of panels in abutting relationship.

3. A ventilation system for mines having a mine shaft including an overhead, said mine shaft being intersected by a cross shaft, said cross shaft having an overhead forming a recess in the overhead of said mine shaft, a substantially rectangular conduit received in said recess, and vertically extending stoppings in said cross shaft extending from the bottom of said cross shaft to said conduit and closing said cross shaft relative to said mine shaft at each side of said mine shaft, said conduit having a plurality of rectangular frames, pairs of horizontally extending panels, and clamp members extending through said frames clampingly securing said panels to said frames.

4. A ventilation system for mines having a mine shaft including an overhead, said mine shaft being intersected by a cross shaft, said cross shaft having an overhead forming a recess in the overhead of said mine shaft, a substantially rectangular conduit received in said recess,

and vertically extending stoppings in said cross shaft extending from the bottom of said cross shaft to said conduit and closing said cross shaft relative to said mine shaft at each side of said mine shaft, said conduit having a plurality of rectangular frames, pairs of horizontally extending panels, and clamp members extending through said frames clampingly securing said panels to said frames, said pairs of panels being arranged to form a top, bottom, and side walls for said conduit, said frames having top, bottom, and side frame members, and brace means terminally secured to said bottom frame member and a side frame member to rigidify said conduit.

5. A ventilation system for mines having a mine shaft including an overhead, said mine shaft being intersected by a cross shaft, said cross shaft having an overhead forming a recess in the overhead of said mine shaft, a substantially rectangular conduit received in said recess, and vertically extending stoppings in said cross shaft extending from the bottom of said cross shaft to said conduit and closing said cross shaft relative to said mine shaft at each side of said mine shaft, said conduit including pairs of horizontally telescoping panels, and means holding said pairs of panels in abutting relationship, each of said panels being substantially channel shaped, said means comprising clamps having substantially U-shaped plates engaging said channel-shaped panels.

6. A ventilation system for mines having a mine shaft including an overhead, said mine shaft being intersected by a cross shaft, said cross shaft having an overhead forming a recess in the overhead of said mine shaft, a subtantially rectangular conduit received in said recess, and vertically extending stoppings in said cross shaft extending from the bottom of said cross shaft to said conduit and closing said cross shaft relative to said mine shaft at each side of said mine shaft, said conduit having a plurality of rectangular frames, pairs of horizontally extending panels, and clamp members having parts thereof extending through said frames clampingly securing said pairs of panels to said frames, said panels being substantially channel shaped, said frames comprising clamps having substantially U-shaped plates engaging said channel-shaped panels.

7. A ventilation system for mines having a mine shaft including an overhead, said mine shaft being intersected by a cross shaft, said cross shaft having an overhead forming a recess in the overhead of said mine shaft, a substantially rectangular conduit received in said recess, and vertically extending stoppings in said cross shaft extending from the bottom of said cross shaft to said conduit and closing said cross shaft relative to said mine shaft at each side of said mine shaft, said conduit having a plurality of rectangular frames, pairs of horizontally extending panels, and clamp members having parts thereof extending through said frames clampingly securing said pairs of panels to said frames, said panels being substantially channel shaped, said frames comprising clamps having substantially U-shaped plates engaging said channel-shaped panels, said clamps including threaded rods secured to said U-shaped plates and extending through said frames, and clamp elements threadedly secured on said rods engaging said frames.

8. A ventilation system for mines having a mine shaft including an overhead, said mine shaft being intersected by a cross shaft, said cross shaft having an overhead forming a recess in the overhead of said mine shaft, a substantially rectangular conduit received in said recess, and vertically extending stoppings in said cross shaft extending from the bottom of said cross shaft to said conduit and closing said cross shaft relative to said mine shaft at each side of said mine shaft, said conduit having a plurality of rectangular frames, pairs of horizontally extending panels, and clamp members having parts thereof extending through said frames clampingly securing said pairs of panels to said frames, said panels being substantially channel shaped, said frames comprising clamps having substantially U-shaped plates engaging said channel-shaped panels, said clamps including threaded rods secured to said U-shaped plates and extendingthrough said frames, and clamp elements threadedly secured on said rods engaging said frames, said pairs of panels being arranged to form a top, bottom,

and side walls for said conduit, said frames having top, bottom, and side frame members, and brace means terminally secured to said bottom frame member and a side frame member to rigidify said conduit.

9. In a mine ventilation overcast structure, an exten sible metal duct supported in an elevated position to extend across an entry of a mine to carry a circulation of air thereacross and comprising a plurality of extensible channel-like panels supported in side-by-side relation with respect to each other in the general form of a rectangle, means detachably retaining said panels together, and support means therefor supporting the con nected panels to extend across an entry in an elevated position with respect to the ground.

10. In a mine ventilation overcast structure adapted to establish a circulation of air over one entry at the intersection between two entries in a mine, an extensible metal duct comprising a plurality of channel-like panels having parallel legs having inturned ends parallel to the Webs thereof, spaced rectangular truss frame structures engageable with the inturned ends of the legs of said channels, individual clips engaging the inturned ends of the legs of said channels with said truss frame structures and detachably securing said channels thereto in side-byside relation with respect to each other in the form of a rectangle, means supporting said duct to extend across the one entry adjacent the roof thereof, and stopping structures at adjacent ends of the cross entry comprising extensible metal stopping structures anchored to extend from one rib to the other of adjacent ends of the cross entry and to extend from the mine floor to the bottom of said duct and seal off the intersecting entry from said one entry, to establish a circulation of air through said cross entry and overcast Without mixing with the circulation of air in said one entry.

No references cited. 

